Doodle quilt? It is what it is...

More sewing than knitting took place yesterday, but I had that planned anyway. I knew I wanted to get all of my quilt blocks at least pieced together, which consisted of a total of 20 out of 30 left to do. Not only did I get that accomplished, but I also managed to get ten of them squared up so that they all end up the same size. The more I get done on this project, the more excited I am to be doing it! I'm also motivated to do another quilt after this one. From the time I was about 20 years old, while I was pregnant with my second child, I knew I wanted to make quilts. As a child I remember my paternal grandmother always having one on her frame, and one of those now hangs on my living room wall. You can tell it has seen a lot of love in its time, but it's also over 100 years old now. It's not pretty, it's actually rather dull, but you know what, it's one of the legacies my grandmother left that I'm pretty proud of. So, I always knew I wanted to make some quilts, and in fact, I took a class at a local art center in the early 80's. I didn't stick with it though and I'm guessing it's because it was an applique block we worked on. I don't enjoy applique, but pieced quilts are very attractive to me. I'm having such a wonderful time back at my sewing machine! I love the cottage-y vibe to my quilt!! It's going to be quite a bit bigger than I expected for my first pieced quilt...this picture isn't actual size as it will be five squares across the top and six squares down, plus the borders. I'm guessing twin size, perfect for nap times, or to be folded across the back of the sofa or across the foot of our bed. I hope one day my grandchildren will see these quilts as part of my legacy I leave for them...there is love in every single stitch for them!! I have an aunt that quilts and I can't hardly wait to finish mine to take it to show her...

 

One of my favorite shows to watch is The Voice, so when we settle down in the evenings to watch it, like last night, I pick up my knitting. I need to finish my March guild challenge within the next two weeks before our next meeting on the 3rd of April. I was going to follow the pattern exactly, but the Nymphalidea shawl is one of those designs where you can just keep knitting until you choose to stop. I noticed I was going to have quite a bit of yarn left over, so I've decided to just keep knitting until I run out, or I get tired of knitting it, whichever comes first. This is a beautiful shawl, so light, and the perfect spring or even fall accessory. It's a free pattern on Ravelry or Knitty.com, and it's easily memorized. When it's on the needles, it's difficult to get a good picture of it...it just looks like a blob until it's blocked, and then it blooms and mimics the wings of a butterfly. Sheer beauty!

 



 



My newest obsessions....project bags and wreaths! I know, weird combo right there, but it is what it is. I've always loved what I've considered a southern tradition of hanging a wreath on your front door at all times, not just at Christmas. So, I have one for each season, but now I've been collecting or making others as well, so if I take a notion to, I can change them whenever I want. I also love them inside my home, and bought one I just couldn't resist last week. Isn't she sweet and springy looking?

 

 

My newest project bag arrived yesterday, and I'm so over the moon happy with it! KarrieLyn of Freckled Whimsy does such an awesome job of making these!!! I chose the medium size Spring Sheep bag and can hardly wait to get another project on the needles to live in it! How fun is that!??! Yes, I guess you could say I'm more of a "process knitter"...I enjoy the whole process and the icing on the cake is when you finish and have a new project to love. I know I could easily sew my own project bag(s), but I'm also one of those people that likes to support small business. So, I present to you my bag!!! Isn't she so cute?

 

 

Something I've been noticing around on the interwebs for the past several months, maybe even a year now, is an art form called 'Zentangle', or some even calling it "zendoodles". When I was young and still in school, we just called it "doodling". I even took my 12 year old grandson out for the day a few months ago, and we spent it buying new "doodling journals", since he likes to draw. I don't think either one of us has devoted much time to it, but I'm going to pick mine back up after watching some youtube vids and researching it on Pinterest. A couple of days ago, while eating my lunch, I reached for a pencil sitting nearby on the table, grabbed a piece of paper and started fooling around with doodling. This is a result of some of the ideas that were floating around in my head. Not anywhere close to what I have seen others that are really into it are doing, but hey, you have to start somewhere, right? It was just fun and made me want to pick up that journal again. Hey, I might even go purchase some colored pencils just to add color!! A friend of mine even told me that you could also use them for quilt patterns....really? Fun!!

 

 

There has been some spinning going on as well, but I'm going to share that with you in my next post. My sister called me last night and wants to have an early dinner with me this evening. I'm excited...she's been so busy with her work lately that we haven't been able to get together in a while. It will be fun to catch up and deliver her socks I knitted her for Christmas!

 

My days are filled with so much joy, happiness and peace, and I wish the same for all of you!!!